Our Beautiful Blessings!: Mom & Dad's 50th Wedding Anniversary Party!

Mom & Dad's 50th Anniversary was held of 7/17/21....exactly one day prior their actual anniversary.

Steph, Christina and I planned the anniversary together. We had discussed most of it on Easter Sunday and then just emailed each other as we got closer. Our plan was to possibly go out shopping together the day prior to the event. Steph was in charge of the decorations, the cupcakes and most of the dishes we used for the food. Christina was in charge of the meat, cheese, fruits and veggies. I was in charge of creating and sending out the invites and all the rest of the food.

Miss. Ellen was in town for the 4th of July and my parents Anniversary party and she mentioned that she'd like to contribute. Two things we hadn't really thought about were balloons and sparkling cider for a toast. Ellen was more than happy to help out with those two things.

We brought the balloon bouquets inside to take pictures and then put them outside to show people where to go.

Ellen and I found this cute chalkboard that we used to draw an arrow pointing towards the gate to the backyard.

Dad knew that people would inevitably come to the front door so he put this sign on the screen door. We knew we were going to be so busy visiting and most likely be outside so we didn't want to have to worry about answering the door. It was just easier to have people walk around to the backyard.

When you walked through the gate and into the backyard this is what you saw. We set up this cute table for cards and/or gifts.

If you look in the background of the picture of Mom and Dad above you can see these decorations on the fence. It was a bit breezy so the 50's kept turning around so we just taped them down to keep them in place.

Here's what the yard looked like standing in front of the sign on the fence. There were 4 EZ-UPs with tables under them.

Tables were simply decorated with polka dot table clothes and these cute tins with fake flowers.

When you came inside from the backyard there were decorations on the pub table. A picture of mom in her wedding dress, a wedding album, cute personalized cups that were a gift, anniversary invitations and the small album that's propped up was a 40th anniversary photo book I made my parents 10 years ago.

Over on the kitchen island we had all the cupcakes set up. My Aunt Donna sent a couple of cute pictures about 50 years of marriage and then what life was like in 1971 the year they got married

Steph had these cute chalkboards that we used to write the different flavors of cupcakes on.

At the end of the island were the two beverage containers. Lemonade & Ice Tea!

Stephie really wanted to buy these yummy cupcakes. Not only were they yummy they were so pretty too!

Christina had some pretty young ladies there to help her set up all the fruit and veggie trays.

I love all the color!

Meat and Cheese!

Steph had even more cute little chalkboards that we used at the food table as well.

Of course we had way to much food, but we had a hard time narrowing it down! :)

There were a few people that came from out of town. My Uncle Clif & Aunt Susan, Auntie Linda and Miss. Ellen, but there were 2 people that Mom and Dad didn't have any idea were coming until they showed up!

My cousin Marshall decided just that week to fly out and join the festivities! As you can see Dad was joyfully shocked!

He also brought his girlfriend with him that most of us hadn't met yet....Dalene!

It was such a nice surprise!

Before anyone showed up Dad ran up to Kent to pick up Bob. Bob goes to our church and he just loves my folks. They love him too! Mom is always making food and giving Bob care packages. He absolutely loves it!

Hanging out in the AC!

Earlier in the month we found out that Christina's parents weren't going to be able to make it from Boise, but thankfully plans changed and they were able to come.

We just love Tom & Gaye!

Looking at the wedding album!

Gail & Cheri came together.

The party was an open house from 1pm - 5pm with the cake being cut at 2:30pm. We did go ahead and pray for the food so those that were there could eat.

Of course the kids were the first in line for the grub!

So many of my parents wonderful friends from church came.

Friends are the best!

Cute grown up girls!

Boys were eating outside!

Al & Cathy Gulling wouldn't miss the party. I just found that they just celebrated their 55th Wedding Anniversary!

Brian & Lorrie Tucker are also from church.

We didn't want the cake sitting out the whole time since it was such a nice day so when it was getting closer to the cake cutting ceremony Ryan and Dad brought it out and put it together.

It's a replica of Mom and Dad's original wedding cake from 1971! You can see the picture of the original one in the picture above.

The dress that's laying on the table is my Mom's wedding dress. She altered it so she could wear it as a maternity dress 3 years after they were married when she was pregnant with Ryan.

50 Years!

Their original cake topper!

Mom absolutely loves yellow roses!

Saying a little something prior to the cake cutting!

Cutting the cake!

Each cake was a different flavor!

Guests arrived all throughout the afternoon....

My Dad's brother...Uncle Cliff, Aunt Jan, Cousin Nicky and her grandson Rylan.

The first church we attended when we moved to WA from WY was Calvary Baptist Church in Renton....that's where we met Jack and Silvia. It was so nice to see them!

Brenda visiting with Mom. Brenda co-runs the Grands Ministry at our church.

This is the second Al & Kathy from our church. Kathy is Brenda's partner in leading the Grands Ministry.

Everyone gathered together visiting!

Getting the sparkling cider ready for the toast!

So pretty! Ellen and I found these cute plastic cups at Party City!

Ryan started off with the first toast and then I gave mine. Of course I cried!

Lovin' on Mom and Dad!

Auntie Linda said a few things!

So did Bill & Christina!

Stephie also said a few words too!

After the cake cutting and the toast it was just munching and visiting for a couple of hours. It was fantastic!

On the left is our new pastor...Pastor Tim....he's been ministering at our church for over a year now.

Miss Ellen is the sweetest person on the planet. She was here in Washington visiting for almost a month and I loved it!!!

She also has the funniest stories!

She had us all in tears retelling a story about a romantic evening with her late husband...Al.

Smiles all around...Ron was only able to stay for a bit and then he had to run. We made sure he didn't leave without packing a plate up for his lovely wife that wasn't able to make it. Mom also couldn't let Bob get away without packing him tons of goodies. The smile on Bob's face makes me so happy!

Time to visit!

Pastor Tim & Brenda

Papa & Pa

Christina & Miss Ruth

The ladies table!

Dad came over to talk to Mom for a second and then Cheri was tapping on a glass or something and that meant that Mom and Dad had to kiss each other!

There were quite a few smooches happening! :)

And what were the kiddos doing while us adults were all visiting?

The girls were playing Barbie's upstairs.

Caleb and Jack were catching up and playing BeyBlades.

Owen was building this epic Lincoln Log fortress!

Zeke was probably right in the middle of all of it, but I never got a picture of him!

When it was time for people to head out I tried the best I could to take pictures of them with Mom and Dad. Of course their were people that snuck out!